Posts tagged "trout"

Late October Trout and Steelhead Fishing

Posted by Ted Kraimer - October 21, 2015

Even though some white stuff fell from the sky over the weekend, the warm weather trend started right up again, but not without some much needed rain and winds. The salmon fishing on the Manistee peaked last week, however there are some fresh fish still moving in – more should come throughout the month since the run has been so prolonged. We have kind of been spoiled that last few years with runs of fish being more condensed and “on schedule” with the calendar.

Just as more salmon came in, more steelhead entered the Manistee, however numbers are still lower than what they should be for this time of year. Look for the water to be very clear requiring fluorocarbon leaders and realistic egg patterns when fishing around spawning salmon. The nymph bite has improved the past week with caddis and steelhead buggers working. Fishing should only improve as long as conditions – more precipitation and NNW winds – improve. The “leaf bite” has been relentless as peak colors are taking place in the river corridor right now and making their way to the water.

The trout fishing on the upper Manistee is mixed. There are a number of spawning brown trout doing their all too important duty right now to ensure future fish for that section of water that relies on natural reproduction – please leave them alone rather than target them. Not all browns are spawning – some are still in pre-spawn mode and are eating streamers – brook trout color patterns are working well when fished on either light sink-tips or floating lines. With the recent warm up, the last of the terrestrials are around the water – its a good time to fish beetles, bees/yellow jackets and other mid-sized rubber legged patterns on top providing there aren’t too many leaves and pine needles on the surface.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late September & early October offers a mixed bag of both species with fall colors.
Fall Steelhead – October, November & into December is the time for steelhead on the Manistee.

brook trout, manistee, salmon, spawning brown trout, steelhead, streamer fishing, trout

Summer-Like Fishing Conditions and Salmon

Posted by Ted Kraimer - September 15, 2015

It seems that summer’s weather is sticking around with warm days and less than favorable wind directions impacting the salmon and not getting them headed up area rivers like the Betsie, Manistee, and Platte. There are some fish in the Lake Michigan tributaries, but not in the numbers that there should be for this time of year. Look for the fish to be spread out throughout river systems and after some North or North-West winds, things should change and the fish should show up in better numbers. Put some rain in the mix and fishing should be outstanding.

With the warm weather comes an extension of trout season. The terrestrials continue to bring up some fish to the surface as the foam and rubber patterns twitched seem to be a great place to start. The fish are pretty smart this time of year so when you get refusals (bumps) change up the pattern slightly and possibly go to a lighter leader. Sometimes a little more twitch helps activate these flies eliciting a bite. The brookies are really vibrant right now and prefer the smaller patterns and attractors since much isn’t emerging this time of year. It can be an ideal time to fish the Boardman for those looking for fishing close to town. If it’s a cloudy day, pull out some mid-sized streamers as the bigger browns have hit the reset button on pattern recognition after a summer of anglers fishing dries.

Good luck.

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Salmon/Steelhead Combo – Late September & early October offers a mixed bag of both species with fall colors.
Fall Steelhead – Late September, October, November & into December is the time for steelhead on the Manistee.

Betsie, boardman, manistee, river, salmon, terrestrials, trout

Still some summer fly fishing to be had

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 25, 2015

The recent cold front has a lot of anglers thinking about the fall fishing but we still have some summer fishing left – the calendar and forecast confirms this.

Water conditions for local trout rivers are in fine shape with temps around 60 on the upper Manistee and Boardman rivers making wet-wading, well, tricky or uncomfortable when in waist deep water. The recent rains haven’t effected levels too much but rather freshened them up so to speak. With the over-cast conditions fish have been out and on the prowl making for improved streamer fishing conditions when not casting surface flies. Try fishing smaller weighted streamers on floating lines and/or short sink-tips.

Very few bugs have been on the water other than Tricos in mid-mornings when temps are normal which is what we should have later this week and next. On the windy days don’t look for the Tricos to be on the water as the wind keeps them from landing however, these windy conditions make for better terrestrial fishing as hoppers and other land-based insects find themselves on the water. It’s the time of year for “foam and rubber” terrestrial and attractor patterns. Some days the fish want movement in those flies, other days dead drift with an occasional twitch so mix it up.

Bass and bluegill fishing is still going strong on the local lakes but the bigger bass are getting wise to our program of poppers and diving bugs. Like the trout fishing, the cloudy days seem to be better and the best fishing has been near structure including weeds, fallen trees and drop-offs.

The winds of the past few days have mixed up the water on Lake Michigan and some salmon have moved closer to shore with just a few making it up the tributaries as we approach September. Salmon reports on the big lake have been mixed so there aren’t many predictions on what the fall run of fish will be like on local rivers, but we should have a better idea in mid-September.

Good luck.

Ted

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing through August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

betsie river, boardman, fishing the manistee, salmon, streamers, terrestrial fishing, trout

August Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - August 5, 2015

With August here the trout fishing continues to be more of the same – Tricos and terrestrials. The upper Manistee received an inch of rain with the weekend’s storm but the river is in good shape – it has a slight stain to it and the level is ideal for this time of year. Fishing on the Boardman in the upper stretches is best in mid-mornings and evenings when kayaks, canoes and tubes are less likely to be out.

The cool nights are keeping the water temperatures in the low 60’s and as the sun warms up the air mid-mornings look for the Tricos to gather in good numbers before falling to the water. If you are struggling to see your small fly pattern consider tying it to a larger dry fly as a dropper to serve as an indicator. Most of the fish playing along are brook trout and some small browns with some bigger fish thrown in the mix from time to time – a perfect time for your lighter rods.

The terrestrial fishing is getting better with the smaller bugs (beetles & ants) being more consistent but the larger patterns increase your probability for the larger fish. Fishing mouse patterns well into the dark is producing some bigger browns for those who prefer to fish the dark side of things. Other bugs to have in your fly box include: Light Cahills, Tan Caddis, Blue Wing Olives and smaller Isonychias.

Bass fishing on the lakes continues to be fun when targeting the structure of lily pads and drop-offs with poppers. Bluegill remain active but mostly the smaller ones, providing great fun for those learning the sport with plenty of opportunity to set the hook and bring in fish. Every once in a while your hooked bluegill becomes live bait for big bass that seem intent on removing the fish from your hook for you – hold on tight.

Good luck,

Ted

bass, bluegill, boardman, terrestrials, traverse city, tricos, trout, upper-manistee

Trout Fishing and Transitioning from Hex

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 11, 2015

Now that summer is here with the warm daytime temps, the hex hatch has mostly caught up and is winding down on local rivers including the Manistee and Boardman. The upstream portions (think cooler water) of river systems are your better bets right now if you are still looking for those nocturnal bugs that bring out some really nice fish that are typically inaccessible the rest of the year with a dry fly. Since we have had our share of cool periods the past few weeks along with some cold nights – look for there to be sporadic bugs for another week, so keep a few of those big flies in your box if you are headed out in the evenings – the spinner falls should occur just before dark through the first hour of dark should conditions be right.

Other bugs have been on the water but they too, have been light in numbers: Isonychias, BWO, Light Cahills, Little Yellow Sallies, and gray drakes have been more commonly present in the evenings, but on cloudy days there has been some daytime emergences. To learn more on fishing trout after the Hex, click here.

As we transition from the match-the-hatch dry fly fishing done the past 7 weeks, start to look to prospect and probe your favorite trout water with some smaller streamers on floating lines and consider bringing your terrestrial patterns with you for some fun surface activity – this will only get better in the weeks ahead. The Tricos should start in another week or so and typically are on the water mid-morning before the sun gets too high. Now is also a good time to swing soft-hackles again through riffle water on your lighter weight rods if you are looking for some brookies and the occasional larger brown trout.

Bass fishing on local lakes continues to be good – be sure target the lily pads and drop offs for your best bet with surface poppers and diving bugs. The bluegill fly angler will find some bigger gills at first light and evening moving to the shallows while there are plenty of smaller bluegill/panfish in the shallows for those just learning to fly fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Manistee river is getting better with the added heat and should only continue to as summer progresses. Fishing streamer patterns on sink-tips is the norm and popper fishing can be just what the fish are looking for.

Good luck.

Ted

The Summer Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe

Summer Trout Fishing – Terrestrial and Trico fishing in July and August on the Manistee.
Smallmouth Bass – Streamer fishing on the lower Manistee is a great way to spend a summer day.
Fall Steelhead – Late September through November is the time for sassy steelhead on the Lower Manistee.

hex fishing, isonychias, manistee river, poppers, smallmouth bass, soft hackles, tricos, trout

«‹5 6 7 8 9 ›»